Trip Barnes has a varied and illustrious reputation. Among his endeavors has been his fundraising for many worthwhile causes. His grandson, Harrison Lazarus is following in his footsteps. Harrison is a Chappy kid and a MVRHS junior. He is organizing a fundraiser for the Freedom Fighter Project which benefits affordable housing for Island Veterans. Live music, great silent auction and the Harley Riders for a great cause this Sunday, May 25, at the PA Club from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Chappaquiddick Island Association (CIA) will present the second webinar of its two-part series, The Chappy Barrier Beach Education Series, on Thursday, May 29, from 5 to 6 p.m.

The series has been designed to underscore just how important beaches are to our island and to help us all make better informed decisions about their future. The first webinar presented a general overview of barrier beaches. Like the first, this second webinar, Chappy Barrier Beaches: Formation, Migration and Evolution, will feature a panel of distinguished scientists, including Chappy’s own Cornelia Dean and Edgartown Conservation Commission’s Kara Shemeth. 

This session will address how barrier islands are formed, how they migrate over time, the source of sand for Chappy’s beaches, shoaling offshore, impact of storms, sea level rise, climate change, erosion and human activities. The Barrier Beach Committee Chair of the CIA board will moderate. There will be a Q&A with the speakers. Links for joining the webinar will be published shortly on the CIA’s website.

Another batch of historic vehicles is being extricated from behind Jerry Jeffer’s garage this week. This group includes big trucks, earth movers, campers, tractor trailer cabs and buses. The hulks are hauled down to the ferry point on flatbeds, loaded onto a barge by a huge forklift then floated down Katama Bay to Mattakessett landing where they will be transferred to tractor trailers for the trip to off-island scrap yards for recycling. However, one legendary vehicle left Chappy on its own wheels via the ferry. With its paint job still shiny and its windshield crystal clear, the old Araujo cesspool pumping tanker may still have a future.

It was known as the Honey Wagon and was operated by Florencio (Sonny) Mendez for many decades. Sonny died five years ago and is still missed. When he came to your yard it was because you were in deep trouble. Your yard would be awash with an offensive liquid and your plumbing would be gurgling in the house. He would make everything right. Emblazoned across the hood of his truck is his nickname, HALF PINT. He was an everyday hero to everyone that he rescued from calamity!